Story Reader / Affection / No. 21: Feral / Story
If only I knew you two have met before... I wouldn't have had to worry... All that anxiety for nothing...
Reaching the office, the manager is still not over the incident.
You have to cut off her mumbling.
Oh... It's actually quite simple. You just need to teach her the daily routine of the greenhouse, just like what I did when you arrived here.
Once she can manage it on her own, I'll send her to cover another section of the greenhouse, so I'll be able to send someone to get fieldwork done for me.
Are there forests... in the greenhouse?
No. 21 asks without showing any intention to follow you.
Not even grass?
Are there beasts that appear at night?
Hmm...
As the conversation continues, No. 21 looks more and more confused.
The mission... is different.
The mission said I had to have forest battle experience. I am good at that.
Which is why I accepted the mission and came here.
Uh... I sure didn't ask for that... but let me double-check.
The manager starts checking her terminal.
Ah!
The manager looks this way in embarrassment.
It looks like... I accidentally put the fieldwork content in the comments section of the application for backup.
I must have forgotten to delete the text I'd copied and pasted after formatting...
That's why No. 21 was saying things like that.
Um... Daily maintenance at the greenhouse is also an important job. Could you do it?
Since you're already here...
The manager gathers up her courage to ask No. 21.
So no forests?
Well, we've got tons of plants in the greenhouse...
No rolling on the grassfield?
You can roll all you want on the carpet...
I won't see any beasts?
...I still have the mascot costume from the event last time if you want me to wear it!
...
This is a trick. I am leaving.
Wait, wait. I am sorry. It's my fault, but please don't go.
If I resubmit the application, it'll take forever to be processed.
I will not help "Shrub" clean up her sh... mess.
You can call me "Shrub" for the rest of my life, but please stay. Commandant, help me out!
C'mon, you can't do that... What happened to doing everything you could to help us?
The manager cannot contain her shock. She cannot believe the docile assistant would abandon her at a time like this.
No. 21 moves to your side as if you were facing a common enemy together.
Two to one. "Weed" lost.
Just how much worse can I get!
You clear your throat, ready to convince No. 21, but she gives you a sour look as if she knows what you're about to say.
You swallow your words and completely reword what you were about to say.
It hits you just now that No. 21 no longer passively takes instructions like before—she has her own opinions now.
It's better not to go against her decision.
Is that really what you were going to say?!
Like what? Do you have a plan B?
I am good with forests.
May I ask where you learned about forests?
"Animal World"...
Um... I guess that's a start.
"Songs of the Jungle"...
Natural history films. I've watched them as a kid, but that's barely skimming the surface...
"Wolverine Returns", "Anaconda", "Great Ape of the Vale"...
Wait... these are all movies and anime!
I learned a lot. They're very useful.
What... kind of useful?
Hunt, kill and be the last survivor.
We're trying to collect samples, not win the Hunger Games!
[player name] recommended them to me.
The manager looks scornfully this way as if looking at an irresponsible parent.
I will do my best.
I want to see the forest, so I will be patient.
Be patient with what... Please, people... I can't go on a mission with her...
The manager is shrinking into her non-existent shell to escape from the harsh dilemma of reality.
Oh, wait... How about this? Commandant, since you know her so well, why don't you two help us with the fieldwork?
And I'll take over the daily routine at the greenhouse.
What about Miss Construct... No. 21? What do you think?
No problem.
I will take good care of [player name].
[player name] only needs to sit and watch.
...
I will organize the detailed sampling targets and points to note and send them to your terminal.
Just follow the instructions on there.
The manager announces solemnly to you.
?
Did I just get ignored?
